JohnN
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| posted on 9/1/08 at 07:33 PM |
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glueing plastic
I have a clio HID headlight, within which, a plastic bracket has broken, as a result the reflector wobbles.
I can see the sheared face of the bracket throught the access hole for the bulbs and in a "ship in a bottle" sense, I can get glue onto
one face and arrange the broken pieces to be re-aligned.
The question is, what is the best glue? Does anybody know what type of plastic the reflectors are made of (it just looks off-white in colour) or
alternatively know of any sh*t to a blanket glue that would be a strong permanant fix?
I recon I'll get one chance to fix this, if it doesn't work, it'll compromise a second try, so I need to get it right first time.
Alternatively does anybody have a smashed clio 2001 - 2005 headlight that I can get a sample of the plastic reflector from, to try a few alternative
glues??
Any help much appreciated
John
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David Jenkins
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| posted on 9/1/08 at 07:37 PM |
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If you have a local model shop - sort of place that sells R/C planes and the like - see if they've got some plastic solvent adhesive.
It's a liquid that you paint on, then you squeeze the bits together and the dissolved plastic fixes it together.
I got some from my local place - very useful for all sorts of jobs.
Note: if it's nylon or similar, then glue won't work.
HTH
David
[Edited on 9/1/08 by David Jenkins]
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bonzoronnie
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| posted on 9/1/08 at 07:43 PM |
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Glue ??
Good old superglue may do the job 
Ronnie 
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dan__wright
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| posted on 9/1/08 at 09:10 PM |
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heat willbe the problem, i got some plastic epoxy the other day from b&q thats rated up 150c
FREE THE ROADSTER ONE…!!
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David Jenkins
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| posted on 9/1/08 at 09:12 PM |
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If the solvent will weld it together, then you'll end up with a solid assembly entirely made from the original plastic - if it works, that is.
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JohnN
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| posted on 9/1/08 at 09:21 PM |
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Thanks for the responses, I guess my best bet is to get some test pieces from a scrappy and try a few alternative glues.
Solvent being preferred option but need to confirm it'll work. I can remember building airfix models, they used a solvent, I think. Once glued,
the joints were as strong as the base material. Can't help thinking that the base material in my case will be something a bit more exotic than
airfix kit plastic (as the majority of it forms the reflector for the halogen bulb main beam) - but I won't know for sure unless I try some.
Thanks for the responses
John
[Edited on 9/1/08 by JohnN]
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caber
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| posted on 9/1/08 at 10:36 PM |
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If you are going to the scrappy why not just get another headlight unit?
Caber
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trextr7monkey
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| posted on 9/1/08 at 11:19 PM |
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Are we talking TENSOL plastic cement here? Have a Google!
Several sorts - we use some on acrylic I think it is No 12 but there's lots of variations
Bit expensive to buy a can for just one joint- can you not find the local cruiser dudes who have upgraded their lights to lat week's latest spec
and have a few spares knocking about?
http://www.flickr.com/photos/14016102@N00/ (cut and paste this dodgey link)
Our most recent pics are here:
http://s129.photobucket.com/albums/p211/trextr7monkey/
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JohnN
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| posted on 9/1/08 at 11:38 PM |
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Caber,
They are HID projector lights, not exactly cheap to replace second hand even if you can find them.
Drivers side please if you know otherwise
Tensol 70 that looks interesting, I really need to know what type of plastic I'm dealing with - and I haven't a clue  I guess the part I
need to fix is injection moulded, is white and the majority of it is subsequently chrome plated to form the reflector for the lights - it must be a
rigid hard plastic, but what type - I don't kbow
[Edited on 9/1/08 by JohnN]
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David Jenkins
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| posted on 10/1/08 at 08:51 AM |
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quote:
Originally posted by trextr7monkey
Are we talking TENSOL plastic cement here? Have a Google!
Several sorts - we use some on acrylic I think it is No 12 but there's lots of variations
Bit expensive to buy a can for just one joint-
I've got a 10cc bottle with a brush in the lid - cost me around £2 - £3. Good for 4 or 5 different kinds of plastic, according to the label.
Definately won't work for nylon or similar 'bendy' plastics, but may work for many rigid plastics.
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Hammerhead
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| posted on 10/1/08 at 10:28 AM |
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I used some plastic glue from halfords on a bracket on my steering cowl, worked a treat.
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MikeRJ
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| posted on 10/1/08 at 10:54 AM |
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Modern headlamp assemblies are usually made from some form of glass filled plastic. Superglue works quite well on this as long as you can get the
parts mated back together exactly as they came apart, otherwise some form of epoxy will probably be more successful.
You might even be able to weld it if you can identify the exact type of plastic and get the appropriate filler rod. I've had some success using
a hot air pencil for this.
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